Erskine House by Kennedy Nolan
Erskine House by Kennedy Nolan reveals a design reveal akin to opening a jewellery box with pops of colour against a deep velvety background.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Derek Swalwell
The Erskine House is a palette of textures and tones that connect slowly through each individual room. The former grand Victorian dwelling in Melbourne had received unflattering additions throughout the years. As such, Kennedy Nolan was tasked with restoring the home to its former glory.
The result is a slow and textile journey through a playful home for the young family. Though the flow continues with connected colours —green, blue, coral and yellow — and natural materiality of stone, marble, and brick, each room is devoted entirely to its self. The result allows for both grown-up zones and children spaces; alongside shared social areas that intersect the two.
Within the kitchen, the architects honoured a pale blue for the cabinetry, custom designed in Dulux Duck Egg Blue. The wall to ceiling playful windows are evocative of the Play School windows, while the new renovation makes better use of the connection to the landscape design by Amanda Oliver Gardens. Stone crazy paving and outdoor extend the interiors into the garden, making better use of the space.
Sculpture by Caleb Shea. Paloma coffee table by Sarah Ellison. Blossom rug by Annie Georgeson from Designer Rugs. Photo - Derek Swalwell.
“We started with a colour palette which defined a particular mood — cool, quiet, but with some intensity and playfulness. ”
“We saw our principle job as making sense of the house as a single entity, this involved wrangling the plan to discipline the various parts into zones – a parents’ zone, a children’s zone and a social space. ”
Opening up the living space, the architects borrowed height from a section of the unused upstairs, adding windows to draw in light. Following the theme of playful design, they also added a ‘RAP’ — a raised activity platform, upholstered in velvety fabric adorned in a deep blue curtain.
The rest of the living room continues with a play on blue, curves, and 1970s glamour — angular pattern rug and a couch that dissolves into the back wall and floor with a gold trim sealing the deal. Velvet was used throughout the project for its coloured and tactile hues that radiate tones — something that is deeply believed in at Kennedy Nolan is the belief in colours to evoke feelings and emotions.
In the adults’ only rooms, gold/mustard toned Astoria carpet from Tsar Carpets flows through the bedrooms, office, and formal sitting room. Looking up, art pops off the walls, in particular, the Pierre Frey wallpaper from Milgate adds colourful faces within the ornate framing.
Unique to the site, former house, and family, the inimitable style of Kennedy Nolan sings throughout Erskine House. But theresult is a distinctive personality of the family’s home.
Custom cabinetry designed by Kennedy Nolan in Dulux Duck Egg Blue and produced by Grange Joinery. Fior di bosco stone island bench top produced by Grange Joinery. Photo - Derek Swalwell.
Corbusier chairs from Thonet. Nebulae Pendant Lights from Ross Gardam. Carrara marble floor tiles from RMS Marble. Photo - Derek Swalwell.
Design details in the kitchen. Photo - Derek Swalwell.
The colour blue is carried out through the interior. Photo - Derek Swalwell.
The butler’s pantry. Photo - Derek Swalwell.
“The palette, combined with an emphasis on textured materials, playful platonic shapes and a disciplined, coordinated layering approach to furniture and lighting has resulted in a family house which is comfortable, light, connected to its garden”
A contrast to the rest of the home, bold red tones also feature in the interiors. Photo - Derek Swalwell.